Guide to Comic Cover Creation

,So I have been asked a few times already how I make the covers that i have hashed together for you peeps in the RPG section. Rather than explaining to each of you in turn i will take the Lazy approach and give you a simple step by step guide and a few helpful tips here and there. I will also add images that maybe of use to you on your own creations also. ( Any CVU logos, comic ratings/prices are welcome since they will add to depth of future covers). But now lets get the show on the road.

for my examples i will show you how i made Izaiah's cover

Step 1- Base

Starter Image

Select your base image ( the main bulk of your cover). Take note of Colour scheme and layout of picture since the better designs will work with the picture rather than just being superimposed on the top. A simple/minimal picture will work better when your additions are equally as clean and simple. An overly busy base image will make further additions even more messy and make for a lousy cover.

So pick what looks good, has space to work with and something you think fits the person who's cover your making.

Step 2- Text/Fun with fonts

Pic + Text

Finding a font that fits how you would like may take some time it may take 5 mins but i would recommend trying a few fonts and layouts for each cover you make. For help adding text to your designs i suggest using the site use if your in trouble http://picfont.com/. (If you use the site simply upload your base image , add text and save the image to your desktop) When it comes to selecting the font and location remember what i said above in base section "What fits the picture and character?" The difference between making a good cover and a great cover can be as little as selecting a different font, changing the text layout/angle or its location on the image, so dont be afraid to play around with designs, but don't go over board with fonts on final design to many and it will just be messy .

Have you considered making a creative team for you fake comic? or naming other characters that may appear in the issue?

Step3-Additional items

Pic + Title+Emblem

Some covers will require further addition such as emblems, related images to the name/theme of the issue. In this case i was requested to add Izaiah's emblem to the cover. In this case it doesn't really fit the base image so well but if your making covers for others always try to cater to them since after all your using their character. Further small touches can add a further flourish to the design and as with text its worth playing around seeing if you can get something that fits what you have already on your image. ( If your adding further images to your cover and used the site above for text this is when you must start using paint. Simply copy and paste)

Consider scale with added images, i generally pair my addition images with text so make sure to leave space if your to do the same

Step4- Final touches

Izaiah #1

To make your design look more like a comic you actually own, addition of things such as publishers logo, bar-code and comic rating will complete the look. ( These additions are also simple copy and paste jobs) with the same consideration as previous additions Scale, Location, and Relevance. These final touches can be difficult to find so i will be having a section below in which you can collect some images to help you). Before you press your final save and post your new cover make sure your certain that's the set up you want since after you save something its there forever.

Hope this helps some of you out, any further questions that i maybe able to help you with dont be afraid to ask below.